Date: Wed, 17 Jun 1998 09:23:44 -0400
From: Darrell Todd Maurina
Organization: Christian Renewal/United Reformed News Service
Subject: NR 98042: OPC Invites URC to Enter Ecclesiastical Fellowship
NR #1998-042: Orthodox Presbyterian Church Invites United Reformed to
Enter Ecclesiastical Fellowship
Meeting from May 27 to June 2 at Reformed Bible College in Grand
Rapids, the Orthodox Presbyterian Church voted to invite the United
Reformed Churches in North America, the largest group of churches which
have seceded from the Christian Reformed Church, "to enter into a
relationship of ecclesiastical fellowship with the OPC." "This is a
group of churches that have stood for the confessional standards and
have had to make the break," said Rev. Jack Peterson, chairman of the
OPC's Committee on Ecumenicity and Interchurch Relations. "We haven't
found in talking to them what I expected, 'death to the CRC.' We have
found them to be a Reformed church that wants to bring its Reformed
faith to the world."
NR #1998-042: For Immediate Release:
Orthodox Presbyterian Church Invites United Reformed to Enter
Ecclesiastical Fellowship
by Darrell Todd Maurina, Press Officer
United Reformed News Service
GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. (June 10, 1998) URNS - Meeting from May 27 to June 2
at Reformed Bible College in Grand Rapids, the Orthodox Presbyterian
Church voted to invite the United Reformed Churches in North America,
the largest group of churches which have seceded from the Christian
Reformed Church, "to enter into a relationship of ecclesiastical
fellowship with the OPC."
The OPC cited four grounds: that the URC holds the Heidelberg
Catechism, Belgic Confession, and Canons of Dort as its confessional
standards, that "they seek to maintain a vigorous faithfulness to their
standards in their church life," that the URC is a member of the
International Council of Reformed Churches along with the OPC, and that
"their synod has expressed the desire to work more closely with us."
"This is a group of churches that have stood for the
confessional standards and have had to make the break," said Rev. Jack
Peterson, chairman of the OPC's Committee on Ecumenicity and Interchurch
Relations. "We haven't found in talking to them what I expected, 'death
to the CRC.' We have found them to be a Reformed church that wants to
bring its Reformed faith to the world."
Peterson, who had for many years opposed breaking ties with the
CRC, said the OPC finally had no choice when the CRC voted to open its
offices to women. "It's not that we have to declare the CRC is no longer
a true church, we didn't get into that game," said Peterson. "Once we
severed relationships with the CRC we were free to talk, discuss, and
work with the seceders."
The United Reformed interchurch relations committee will next
meet on June 18 and is expected to consider the OPC invitation.
In related business, the OPC voted to approve the November 1997
action of the North American Presbyterian and Reformed Council in
suspending the CRC from membership. The NAPARC decision will take effect
if ratified by two-thirds of the seven NAPARC members within the next
three years.
Cross-References to Related Articles:
#1998-033: Three Reformed Denominations to Hold General Assemblies
or Synods this Year in West Michigan
Contact List:
Rev. Jack Peterson, Chairman, OPC Committee on Ecumenicity and
Interchurch Relations
1315 White Rock Drive, San Antonio, TX 78245
O: (210) 690-6360 ¥ H: (210) 675-9097
Rev. Peter Vellenga, Chairman, URC Interchurch Relations Committee
PO Box 21, Auburn, ON N0M 1E0
H/O/FAX: (519) 482-7523
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